SpudsSioux

Might be a generational gap here and people that follow further back know it used to be a foothold. Marvins (Lee, Cal, David), Christians (Dave, Eddie), Al Hansleben. Makes sense that there's been a shift with Hardwick at the helm and him being a Bulldog.

This!. I love our top end guys for this year (Emerson, Perron and the D) and the current Junior class (Boisvert, Swanson, McInnis). If we could land someone like Emery or Hensler (if he's accelerating) to that class this could turn around in a hurry. Of note, the only coach I've seen that Hensler follows is Berry. For the Sophomores, have to hope and think we have a shot at the local kids at the NTDP (Laurila, O'Neil and Lindberg). Edit: YHH confirmed Hensler is accelerating.

That’s his older brother. This one can’t commit until this summer.

Thanks. That sounds much more like the player I've seen. He definitely passes the eye test to me.

Note on Benoit. Looking at his +/- is concerning, but definitely doesn't tell the whole story. I thought there had to be a data error somewhere as I can only count a couple times I've seen him on the ice when scored on for Waterloo. I realize it's the carry-over from when he was the top minute guy on a bad Omaha team. It's definitely more in line with what the Lancers +/- look like. I'd be interested to see what his is since joining Waterloo.

I may be crazy, but I think Benoit is the guy that's going to surprise next year (the way Frisch did as a Freshman). Every time I watch him, he's just so steady. Makes great outlet passes, plays simple but hard. I could be way off, but I think his game translates well and could end up playing more than everyone thinks he's going to.

Miller getting sent packing at the 11th hour also skewed this. That class was actually loaded with D.

The comment was that they are steering them away from UND; not that they aren’t steering them to them. They may not be actively pushing kids to us but looking at the last 10 years it’s hard to say they’re steering kids away from us (Ausmus, Thompson, Sanderson, kleven, Caulfield, Hain). I’m sure I’m missing some. I think a lot still has to do with geographically where the NTDP is getting kids. Still hard to talk an East Coast kid into wanting to come to Grand Forks. if Laurila doesn’t end up at UND (and Lindberg if he’s at NTDP) that would raise a red flag to me. I would actually argue during the Hak years it appeared moreso that someone was steering away. Seems like there were a ton of decommitments (not just to us) and bolting to the CHL.

And Hain. That being said, all four were committed before they went to NTDP, but the fact they all kept their commitments tells me that rumor may not have much truth to it.

If you watch the Steel highlights, a huge chunk of the Celebrini from Perron goals are Celebrini using his speed to get open and Perron finding him in space. To me, James looks like the most natural fit with him because he's the closest to that speed. Knowing James and O-Mac had a connection in juniors, I would love to see a James - OMac - Perron line. Then Blake - Schmalts - Gaber. That would be a pretty tough 1-2 punch.

Very good Sophomore defenseman from Moorhead. He was Laurila's D partner in Bantams (Laurila now at NTDP). His older brother is committed to Colorado College.

Lindberg got an invite to the NTDP eval camp.

Agreed. Lindberg is legit. Like I said above, probably best comparison is Stecher. Unbelievable skater so his gap is always good, great stick, very sound defensively. High compete level and offensively dynamic like you said. He’s smaller now but grew quite a bit the last year and his older brother is 6 feet so wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being pretty good size.

Yup! Tim actually coaches that team with Matt Cullen. There are a few kids to keep an eye on there. Obviously Laurila is very very good, but Garrett Lindberg is also very good. Reminds me of Troy Stecher.

Sam Laurila from Moorhead got an invite to the NTDP tryout camp as a Bantam AA. He was up for Pee Wee player of the year in Minnesota and now up for Bantam AA as well. Hope we're in on him! https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/news_article/show/1213813